The House of Avant Garde was a community of black LGBTQ+ individuals involved in Chicago's ballroom scene. This video contains footage from two Balls hosted by the House: the Unity Ball in 1991 and the St. Valentine's Day Massacre Ball in 1992, as well as commentary from members of the House of Avant Garde about the House itself and its importance in building community.
0:17Copy video clip URL Title card. Upbeat music plays.
0:31Copy video clip URL A messenger from the House of Avant Garde sends a message out to the gay community. “This is a house of love here. And that’s the reason that we’re here. We’re also here to show people that you can do and you can be whoever you want to be without any fear, because there is always going to be someone there to give you the support that you need. That [person’s] going to be just like you, that kindred spirit that you need so you can feel some type of connection. So you can feel some type of belonging. So don’t be afraid to be who you are.”
1:18Copy video clip URL Dancers perform in the middle of a runway. A member of the House of Avant Garde explains Avant Garde’s origin and growth, and explains Avant Garde’s “Bogus Ball” events as footage of dancing and fashion aspects of the ball play across the screen.
3:36Copy video clip URL Contestants in Avant Garde’s fashion competitions walk the runway.
4:19Copy video clip URL Another speaker explains the components that make up the House of Avant Garde.
4:52Copy video clip URL A man tells the story of watching the documentary Paris Is Burning, and how inspirational it was for him to see the gay community unite. “It showed their creativity. It was an opportunity for them to show off what they could do. And as black men, so many times we are squelched. We are not allowed to show our creativity or to make any type of a statement.”
6:11Copy video clip URL Tyrone Nash, a sign language interpreter and performer for the House of Avant Garde, talks about his relationship to the House. Footage plays of Nash dancing.
7:35Copy video clip URL A young man vogues on the House of Avant Garde’s runway. He tells the story of how he first became interested in voguing and vogues for the camera.
9:04Copy video clip URL Another young man talks about his relationship to voguing. “I do what I feel. I’ll give you earrings and a head wrap one day. I’ll give you ripped jeans and leather jacket the next day. I’m just that way. I vogue and I can walk any category that you give me.
10:00Copy video clip URL Rico Avant Garde, one of the original members, enthuses about the House of Avant Garde. His thoughts are echoed by another member.
10:28Copy video clip URL Footage from the House of Avant Garde runway.
10:45Copy video clip URL A young man discusses wanting to bring drag queens into the House of Avant Garde, followed by more footage from the runway.
12:16Copy video clip URL A young man talks about the community at the House of Avant Garde. “It’s a family between each other. We’re friends. I’ve been knowing a lot of these gentlemen in this room for several years. It helped me to understand that, hey, I’m gay, I’m a black man and it helps me to express myself, not be ashamed of myself.”
12:58Copy video clip URL Footage from Avant Garde’s runway. The camera pans over the audience as the MC applauds the performers’ bravery.
14:50Copy video clip URL A member of the House of Avant Garde explains why he joined the house: because of the closeness of its community. Another member speaks to the benefits of building community through the competitions that the House holds.
15:22Copy video clip URL Footage from the runway.
17:00Copy video clip URL A member speaks to what the House of Avant Garde can provide for young gay men. A voice off-camera chimes in about the importance of safe sex, which the on-camera member reiterates. “Please practice safe sex. The diseases out here spread rapidly and they’re very dangerous. Very dangerous.”
17:37Copy video clip URL Footage from the runway.
18:07Copy video clip URL Title card.
18:17Copy video clip URL Footage from the runway at the ball plays, interspersed with credits. The winners walk the runway with their trophies. A procession of performers vogue, occasionally being asked to “hold that pose.” Judges hold up all 10s for one competitor.
28:49Copy video clip URL Credits.
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